Will you be getting your hands dirty in a national litter-picking campaign this March?

The Great British Spring Clean is a campaign with a simple aim: to bring people across the country together to clear up the litter that blights our towns, villages, countryside and beaches.

Organised by Keep Britain Tidy and supported by the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP), the event takes place from Friday, March 2 to Sunday, March 4. During that time, litter-picks will be taking place all over the country.

Last year, more than 300,000 people were inspired to clean up their neighbourhoods as part of the event. This year it is hoped that 400,000 people will venture outdoors and get litter-picking in their communities.

The DWP is supporting the event by providing picking equipment, protective clothing and rubbish bags to volunteers and groups, as well as arranging for the disposal of the bags of litter. They can also help to promote any picks taking place through their social media channels.

Dorset litter-pick organisers are asked to contact the DWP in advance to provide details and arrange pick-up of any bags of rubbish so they can be left in a place that collection crews can find and access easily.

Cllr Tony Alford, chairman of the Dorset Waste Partnership's joint committee, said: "Communities and volunteer groups are a vital part in our battle against litter in Dorset, so the Great British Spring Clean is a great opportunity for people to come together and help keep our environment free of rubbish.

"The Dorset Waste Partnership is proud to do our bit, whether it's the regular street cleansing activities we carry out every day, or providing support to those dedicated people who want to roll up their sleeves and get involved themselves.

"If you've got an hour or two to spare during the first weekend of March, head over to the Great British Spring Clean webpage and see how you can take part in this fantastic event."

For more information visit keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean or dorsetforyou.gov.uk/street-care/community-litter-picks